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thebobsphere's review
5.0
It's funny how much I dislike short stories when back in the 90's I was a big fan.
To date, this is Ethan Coen (yup one half of the Coen Brothers) only publication but it is a stunner. Most of the stories feature Jewish Americans trying to cope with society and trust me, a lot are tear jerking funny. Highlights include The Old Country, a Jewish Boy creates a mini revolution and The Boys a father takes his sons for a camping trip. But all the stories are witty with a punch.
To date, this is Ethan Coen (yup one half of the Coen Brothers) only publication but it is a stunner. Most of the stories feature Jewish Americans trying to cope with society and trust me, a lot are tear jerking funny. Highlights include The Old Country, a Jewish Boy creates a mini revolution and The Boys a father takes his sons for a camping trip. But all the stories are witty with a punch.
latepaul's review
3.0
I bought this back in around 2000 but never got far through it until recently.
It's a strange mixed bad of stories, some in the form of screenplays. Many of them are in the voice of a narrator, or are being spoken to you, or are composed largely of dialogue - and I think that's the strongest thing about them, creating interesting and unique voices. If you've seen any Coen brothers movies then the themes won't be unfamiliar - there's a lot of down-at-heel smalltime crooks and so on. However unlike the movies some of the stories don't go anywhere so unless you simply like wallowing in the atmosphere they create they can be harder to enjoy.
Still they have their moments and if you have the right sense of humour they're amusing too.
It's a strange mixed bad of stories, some in the form of screenplays. Many of them are in the voice of a narrator, or are being spoken to you, or are composed largely of dialogue - and I think that's the strongest thing about them, creating interesting and unique voices. If you've seen any Coen brothers movies then the themes won't be unfamiliar - there's a lot of down-at-heel smalltime crooks and so on. However unlike the movies some of the stories don't go anywhere so unless you simply like wallowing in the atmosphere they create they can be harder to enjoy.
Still they have their moments and if you have the right sense of humour they're amusing too.
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